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Talk to focus on combatting microagressions in higher education

August 22, 2014

Talk to focus on combatting microagressions in higher education

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity announced that Derald Wing Sue, professor of psychology and education at Columbia University and a pioneer in multicultural counseling and education, will speak from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, in Presidents Hall at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.

Sue’s dynamic and engaging presentation, “Microaggressions and Marginality: Manifestation, Dynamics and Impact,” will reflect his most recent research on how everyday verbal, nonverbal and environmental slights, snubs or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, have a powerful impact upon the psychological well-being of marginalized groups and affect their standard of living by creating inequities in education, employment and health care. Sue’s research on microaggressions has been heralded as one of the most important recent developments in studying racism, sexism and heterosexism. His presentation will focus specifically on microaggressions in higher education, and will be followed by a question and answer period.

For those units not at University Park, the session will be available via Polycom. To participate in this event remotely, contact Mike Blanco at mhb4@psu.edu.

Sue’s visit is part of Educational Equity’s ongoing series on Best Practices in Diversity and is co-sponsored by the Forum on Black Affairs; the assistant dean for multicultural programs, College of Education; College of Health and Human Development, Office of Diversity Enhancement Programs; College of Information Sciences and Technology; Commission for Women; Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equity; Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity; Department of Psychology and the BRIDGE Diversity Alliance; Diversity Enhancement Programs, Smeal College of Business; Multicultural Equity Programs, College of the Liberal Arts; Office of Educational Equity, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences; Office of Graduate Educational Equity Programs; Office of Multicultural Affairs, College of Agricultural Sciences; Paul Robeson Cultural Center; Presidential Leadership Academy; Schreyer Honors College; Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence; University Libraries Diversity Committee; and University Office of Global Programs.